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HEALTH

Everything that changes in Austria in November 2020

From new lockdown rules to winter tyres, these are the changes you should be aware of in November.

Published: 4 November 2020 13:35 CET
Updated: 7 November 2020 14:38 CET
Everything that changes in Austria in November 2020
Runners participate in the Vienna City Marathon in Vienna, Austria. Photo: JOE KLAMAR / AFP

Coronavirus measures

From November 3rd, Austria has put in place an extensive range of nationwide coronavirus measures. 

The centrepiece is a nighttime curfew or restriction, which basically states that people are not allowed to leave the house between 8pm and 6am unless they have a valid reason. 

Events will also be banned – including Austria's famous Christmas markets. Bars, restaurants and cafes are forced to close, other than to offer take away services.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Austria's coronavirus shutdown 

No more face shields

Plastic face shields – often used in gastronomy as a protection for the transmission of coronavirus – will be banned in Austria from November 7th. 

In principle, anti-corona masks must be “covering” and “close-fitting” wherever masks are compulsory.

READ: Austria plans to ban coronavirus face shields 

In the explanatory notes it stated: “The background is consolidated evidence that face shields in particular do not have an aerosol-inhibiting effect compared to classical masks.

“Mechanical protection devices such as 'face shields' or ''mini face shields' have thus proved unsuitable for preventing the spread of Covid-19 and are therefore now prohibited.”

'Mini Face Shields' refers to the chin shields, which are particularly popular with waiters and waitresses because they can be more comfortable than traditional masks.

Safe Hospitality: Free coronavirus tests for those in the tourism industry 

From November 1st, workers in the tourism industry will be entitled to free weekly testing as part of the ‘Safe Hospitality’ program.  

Pursuant to the program, ski instructors, mountain guides, travel guides, tour guides or private room landlords can be tested once a week free of charge. 

Tourism Minister Elisabeth Köstinger said the program will encourage the country’s struggling tourism industry. 

“At present, an average of 6,000 to 8,000 people are tested on a working day. With more than 350,000 tests, tourism employees are among the best-tested professional groups in our country.”

Flixbus takes a break

From November 3rd, German long-distance bus company Flixbus will be taking a break in Austria, along with Germany and Switzerland. 

The company said it hopes to start up services again “sometime during the holidays”. 

2021 vignette available

The 2021 annual vignette stickers will be available for purchase from the end of November. 

These will cost 92.50 euros – an increase of around 1.5 percent on the cost of last year’s stickers – and will be apple green in colour. 

New tariffs 2021 for cars: ten-day vignette: 9.50 euros, 2-month vignette 27.80 euros, Annual vignette: 92.50 euros 

New tariffs 2021 for motorcycles: ten-day vignette 5.50 euros, 2-month vignette 13.90 euros, annual vignette: 36.70 euros

Winter tyres

From November 1st, cars and trucks up to 3.5 tons must switch over to winter tyres in Austria. 

When driving on in snow, mud or ice, cars must be fitted with winter tires or, alternatively, have snow chains fitted on at least two wheels.

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HEALTH INSURANCE

How can I get an appointment with a physiotherapist in Austria?

If you are recovering from an injury, experiencing pain, or simply aiming to improve your physical function, visiting a physiotherapist is a good idea. Here is what you need to know about physiotherapy in Austria.

Published: 23 April 2024 11:02 CEST
How can I get an appointment with a physiotherapist in Austria?

Physiotherapy can be the key to improving mobility, managing pain, recovering from injuries, and optimising overall physical function. Many people will need such services at some point in their lives.

If you need a physiotherapist in Austria, you can choose between going to one who is contracted with your insurance company (Therapeut mit Kassenvertrag) or to a so-called elective therapist (Wahltherapeut). For both options, you will need a referral from a general practitioner, such as your family doctor (Hausarzt), if you want to access the service for free (with your e-card) or get a reimbursement for your treatment.

Physiotherapy through your health insurance company

If you want to go to a physiotherapist without having to pay for it, you can try to find a suitable physiotherapist who is contracted with your insurance company. 

Physiotherapy is free of charge if your therapist is contracted with large public insurance companies such as the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK), Insurance Institution for Public Employees, Railways and Mines (BVAEB) or Social Insurance Institution for the Self-Employed (SVS).

These insurance companies settle directly with their contracted therapists and you do not need to pay anything out of pocket. However, accessing this kind of free treatment can sometimes be hard, as those with the most urgent needs are prioritised, which can result in long waiting times for appointments. 

Here you can find a list of physiotherapists who work privately but still have a contract with ÖGK, sorted by regions within Austria.

Physiotherapist of your choice

If you want to go to a therapist that is not contracted with your insurance company, you initially have to pay for the treatment yourself.

Once your treatment is completed and the treatment costs have been paid in full, you can apply to your health insurance company for reimbursement by submitting your confirmation of payment. Here you can find information on which other documents you may need to submit.

However, you will not be reimbursed the full amount. For example, with ÖGK, you usually receive about 80% of what contracted physiotherapists would get from ÖGK. If you are insured with SVS and BVAEB, the percentage is similar.

If you have another type of insurance, such as a private one, it is a good idea to check with them what their specific insurance covers.

Going to a physiotherapist can improve your quality of life. Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash

Where do I find a suitable therapist?

There are plenty of ways to find the right physiotherapist that fits your needs. Sometimes your family doctor may have a recommendation, or perhaps a friend can suggest one. If you prefer to explore on your own and consider more options, you can search for a therapist online.

Websites such as physioaustria offer useful search functions where you can find therapists based on specific criteria, such as specialisation or insurance contracts. You might also find physiotherapie.at helpful for your search.

READ MORE: Everything foreigners need to know about the Austrian healthcare system

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